Preparation of diarylamines by the addition of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyllithium to nitroarenes

The addition of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyllithium to nitroarenes in THF (−78°C) affords the corresponding diarylamines in one-pot and the reaction appears to be general in scope. A ‘nitroso’-based mechanism is proposed for this novel nitroreductive N-arylation reaction.